Effect of free fatty acids on two-stage skin carcinogenesis in mice

The effect of n-3 and n-6 free fatty acids on two stage skin carcinogenesis in mice was studied. Stearic, linoleic, arachidonic, and eicosapentaenoic acids inhibited both initiation and promotion stages of skin carcinogenesis. Although no direct correlation between lipid peroxidation and papilloma formation was observed, a trend towards an increase in the formation of lipid peroxides with the inhibitory effect of fatty acids on papilloma development was noted. In general, the fatty acids applied were incorporated mainly into the phospholipid and free fatty acid pools. All the fatty acids tested, except eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, inhibited the binding of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) to DNA. On the other hand, BP and croton oil-induced skin cell proliferation was not influenced by any of the fatty acids used. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that inhibition of papilloma formation by free fatty acids is complex and can be attributed to a limited extent only to their ability to inhibit BP binding to DNA, to block cell proliferation and enhance the lipid peroxidation process.